Entrepreneurship (Grad. Cert.)

Graduate Certificate (Grad. Cert.)

Why pursue a Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship?

From artists to psychologists, graphic designers to freelance writers, over 15% of the Canadian workforce is self-employed. The Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship was designed for aspiring entrepreneurs wishing to start their own micro-enterprise such as an artist-run studio, design firm, or professional practice.

The program is for recent university graduates with a bachelor’s degree in any non-business discipline, as well as professionals and artists looking to start their own business. You will develop marketing and management basics, self-employment essentials and the knowledge required to put together a successful business plan to set up and grow your micro-enterprise.

To accommodate your schedule, the program is flexible, giving you the choice of completing the 15 credits (5 courses) on a part-time or full-time basis, with courses offered in the evenings and sometimes on weekends.

Applicants must possess a Bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.70 on a scale of 4.30, or equivalent. Applicants are also required to submit a Statement of Purpose and two letters of recommendation.

Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.

Statement of Purpose
Applicants must provide a Statement of Purpose indicating their reason for choosing the GCE program, including a description of their profession and micro-business project they are starting. Statement of Purpose should be approximately 500 words in length.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Applicants must include an updated resume.

Two Letters of Reference*
Applicants must provide two professional and/or academic references at the time of applying online.

When completing your application online, you will be required to enter your referees’ names, affiliated institutions and email addresses (college/university or company mail). Your referees will then receive an email inviting them to complete an electronic assessment form and attach their letter of reference. It is your responsibility to follow-up with your referees to confirm they received this mail from application.support@concordia.ca.

You are strongly encouraged to submit your application before your program’s application deadline in order to give your referees sufficient time to provide their assessment and letter of reference.

Official Transcripts*
Please upload unofficial copies of transcripts, from all previous educational institutions, when you apply to Concordia because it speeds up the review of your application.

If you are currently enrolled in school:
Submit the results of previous terms and a list of your current courses
Include mid-year grades if they're available

Uploaded transcripts, however, are not official transcripts. Official transcripts are documents sent directly from an institution to our Admissions Application Centre. Unless otherwise specified, we request official transcripts only once you are admitted.

Official English Proficiency Test
A student whose primary language is not English must write a pre-admissions English proficiency test (TOEFL iBT minimum score 95 or IELTS (Academic) minimum score 7.0), if not exempted as indicated below. Test results must be reported directly to the Admissions Application Centre by the test centre. Results more than two years old will not be accepted as proof of language proficiency

Proof of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residence, or Refugee Status (where applicable)
Where applicable, applicants must include a certified copy of their birth certificate, Permanent Resident card, Canadian Citizen Card, or Refugee Status papers. International students must include a copy of their current passport.

*Once requested upon acceptance, official transcripts must be sent directly to Concordia University:

This course provides students with essential business
knowledge. It covers the basic principles of self-employment
and management of a micro-enterprise such as an artist-run
studio, design firm, or a professional practice. Students learn
how to organize and finance their new venture, set up basic
accounting structures, understand tax implications, and
protect their intellectual property. Pedagogical methods
include lectures and case studies.

This course focuses on entrepreneurial marketing for the
micro-enterprise. Students learn how to strategize, plan and
implement marketing programs in both online and offline
environments. They also learn how to tailor these programs
to address the needs of their audiences and customers and
how to align their business accordingly. Topics include
opportunity identification, demand generation, value pricing,
promotion, channel decisions, and developing a marketing
mindset. Pedagogical methods include lectures, case studies,
class discussions and the development of a marketing plan.

Prerequisites & notes

This course adds to the knowledge acquired in GCE 511. It
covers the issues that will arise as a micro-enterprise grows.
Topics include strategies for achieving and sustaining growth,
hiring and supervising staff, selecting software applications
and protecting sensitive information. Pedagogical methods
include lectures and case studies.

Prerequisites & notes

This capstone course is designed to guide students in
conducting a market study and developing their complete
business plan including their operational and financial plans
and integrating the marketing plan. Topics include:
transforming their idea into a business, analyzing the market
and competition, and planning operations and finances for
the next three to five years. Pedagogical methods include
lectures, case studies, and the development of the business
plan.

Prerequisites & notes

Prerequisites: GCE 511, 512, 513 previously or concurrently

Students who have received credit for this topic under GDBA 595 may not take this course for credit.

Business Law
This course will assist the students in understanding some of the basic principles of the Quebec legal system. Students will learn about the various methods available to start a new business and how to select the most appropriate form of business. Students will also learn basic legal notions relating to contracts, civil liability and employment law allowing them to better understand these legal principles in the context of operating a business.

e-Marketing
This course aims to introduce students to the conceptual framework and practices used in digital marketing. We will discuss various online business models, search engine marketing, affiliate marketing, email marketing, social media marketing and web analytics as well as other important aspects of customer acquisition, conversion and retention, in an online environment. We will also discuss loyalty and online reputation management which is crucial for success in an increasingly competitive online landscape. By the end of the course students should be able to develop an eMarketing plan using various techniques and tools used to successfully drive and convert traffic.

Professional Business Skills
This course provides students with the necessary skills that help with successful interaction with others in business settings. Topics include designing and delivering effective written and oral messages from concept to delivery, working in groups, and negotiating and resolving conflict by using ethical communication tactics. Pedagogical methods include group-based work, in-class workshops, case studies, presentations, and report writing.

Project Management
This course covers the theory, tools, and techniques associated with the management of projects including the use of project management software. Cases from various business contexts are used to illustrate essential steps in setting up project plans, scheduling work, monitoring progress, and exercising control to achieve desired results. The course integrates the Project Management Body of Knowledge with the Project Management Institute’s certification requirements.

Important information about admissions

Please be advised that Concordia University does not process admissions or fee payments through third parties for our degree programs.
All applicants are advised to ensure that they are communicating directly with the university for admissions and fee payments.